Billy Napier dishes on relationship with Emmitt Smith before Florida, NFL legend serves as Mr. Two Bits

The pregame tradition of dignitaries filling the role of a late fan known as “Mr. Two Bits,” leading Florida in a pregame cheer, has gone on for about a decade now. And finally, Florida is getting on of its all-time greats back: Legendary running back Emmitt Smith.

Known mostly for his feats in the NFL — he’s the all-time league leader in rushing, among other claims — Smith starred at Florida prior to his storied NFL career. Current Florida head coach Billy Napier raved about Smith as he previewed his return to The Swamp on Saturday.

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“I’ve had a chance to meet Emmitt a handful of times and he’s even more impressive in person than maybe all the things — the positive things that you hear about him,” Napier said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Not only had a terrific career here, on the field, but I think the way that he’s represented himself, his family, he’s just a first class — he was an incredible competitor at the collegiate level and then obviously his pro career.”

Saturday’s contest against Texas A&M will also be a bit of a conflict for Smith, as he’s stuck between cheering on his alma mater and his son, who is a running back for the Aggies.

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But Napier seemed confident that Smith’s allegiances will stay with the Gators. And he also took some time to laud what Smith has managed to do in his post-playing career, from the business realm to the family he’s raised.

“But the way he’s taken the game of football and really built himself a career post-football in a lot of different arenas, just a very impressive person as much as an athlete and competitor,” Napier said. “And then obviously a terrific family. Emmitt is — he’s all that you could expect from a Gator. This guy, he’s done a terrific job throughout his life representing this place and certainly himself and his family.”